As we stated last week, it is a journalist’s job to be diligent and persistent in obtaining answers from public officials. It is never acceptable for politicians to ban journalists from press conferences or other events to control who covers them. It is a disservice to democracy and the American people.

This isn’t the first time this administration has taken credentials away from journalists or banned them from covering events. It sends the message to state and local elected officials that it is OK to ban certain journalists or news outlets based on coverage. The judge settled this temporarily on Fifth Amendment grounds, saying the White House did not provide Acosta with the due process required to legally revoke his press pass. We also argue that politicians denying access to reporters to control who covers them is a violation of the First Amendment and is detrimental to our society and those around the world.